History Of The Eagle And Man Ceremony

SETTING:

Room is in darkness. Flags are still in place at the front of
the room from the opening ceremony. At the front is a table with one lighted candle representing the light of Scouting. In front
of this candle, one each, red, white, and blue, unlighted. Behind
the lighted candle is the Eagle light box, covered with a sheet.
The master of ceremonies is at the front of the room, slightly to
the side, behind a lectern. One Scout is standing by the table to
light the candles with the light of Scouting.

OPENING:

MC: [As the Scout lights the red candle.] The red of my flag
is the lifeblood of brave men ready to die or worthily live for
this, our country.

[As the Scout lights the white candle.] The white of my flag is
for purity, cleanliness of purpose, thought, word, and deed.

[As the Scout lights the blue candle.] The blue of my flag is for
faith and loyalty, like the eternal blue of the star-filled
heavens.

[As the Scout replaces the light of Scouting and removes the
sheet covering the Eagle light box.] By authority vested in me as
a representative of the ____________ Council and the National
Council, Boy Scouts of America, I declare this court of honor to
be duly convened.

CANDIDATE RECOGNITION:

MC: Tonight we have the honor and pleasure of recognizing [
Scout's name ] for the award of Eagle Scout.

The parents and Scout leaders of the Eagle candidate whom we
honor tonight have labored long and faithfully to develop him
toward alert and participating citizenship through the Boy Scout
program. Their efforts culminate this evening in the presentation
of the Eagle Award. The success of these efforts, however, will
only be manifest in the way this Eagle Scout himself sets a
social pattern for those whose lives he touches.

Honor guard, please escort before this court of honor, Eagle
candidate [ Scout's name ], where he will be prepared to receive
the highest rank conferred by the Boy Scouts of America, that of
Eagle Scout.

[The honor guard, composed of Eagle Scouts will escort the Eagle
candidate to the front of the room, near the American flag, and
will leave him facing the audience.)

VOICE OF EAGLE:

[This speaker needs to be of a very high caliber. There are
many difficult words and phrasings. The part could even be broken
into several parts. In any case, the person or persons doing this
part should practice until it can be delivered effectively.]

I am the eagle. Since the beginning of time, man has used me and
my brothers as a symbol of royalty, power, victory, authority,
and valor. My strength and courage have inspired men through the
ages.

Ancient man looked upon me as an inveterate enemy of serpents.
They saw the battle between the sun and clouds as battles between
an eagle and a serpent.

The ancient Assyrians associated me with Ashur, the great sun
god. I was held in awe and worshipped for my majestic beauty. In
the Assyrian myths, I was a symbol of storms and lightning and
the god who carried souls to Hades.

In India and Babylon I was the symbol of fire, of wind and
storms, and the bringer of immortality.

In the golden age of Greece, I was a symbol of victory and
supreme spiritual energy. I was the sacred bird of Zeus, the
ruler of all gods. The Greeks represented me with wings
out-stretched holding a serpent in my claws. Thus, I represented
the triumph of good over evil.

In Rome, I was the symbol of Jupiter, the supreme god. The Romans
saw me as the symbol of victory. As the Roman legions conquered
the world, they marched under the standard of the eagle, with
outstretched wings. The silver eagle was the symbol of the
republic and the Roman Empire used the golden eagle as its
symbol. I became the personal emblem of the Caesars, representing
supreme authority.

In the Middle Ages, I became the symbol of Germany. And, as
falconry flourished as a sport in Europe, only kings were allowed
to hunt with an eagle.

The rise of Christianity brought me still more honor. To the
early Christians, the eagle was the symbol of ascension. This was
due to the strong flight of the eagle with its gaze fixed on the
sun. In early icons I was best known as the symbol of St. John
the Evangelist.

The Aztec tribe of the Classical Era in what is now Mexico sighted me capturing
a rattlesnake. The took this as a sign to settle at that place which ultimately
became Mexico City. Today my image stands showing this event on the Great Seal
of the modern nation of Mexico and on the nation's flag. In Mexico I did not
just witness history in the making, but I helped to cause history.

In the nineteenth century, French troops under Napoleon conquered
Europe under the symbol of the eagle. Many French soldiers gave
their lives to protect the golden eagle which supported the
French flag on the battleground.

On June 20, 1782, I became the symbol of a new country. Because
of my courage and beauty, I was chosen to symbolize the new
United States of America. The eagle became a prominent feature of
the seal of state of the new republic.

From this early beginning, I have been used in many ways to
symbolize the ideals of this country. Several states have the
eagle on their state flags. You can find me on the coins of
America from the beginning to present day.

I have a prominent place in America as in ancient Rome as a
symbol of power and authority. The emblems of the President,
vice-president, several members of the President's cabinet, and
most branches of the armed forces center on the eagle.

From the god of the Assyrians to the symbol of the Caesars to the
emblem of this country, it was thus fitting that the eagle should
have a part in the most momentous achievement of man. The Apollo
11 crew chose Eagle as the name for the lunar module which was to
make history. And with the words of Eagle Scout Neil Armstrong --
"Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed"
-- man was on the moon.

In 1911, following tradition as old as man himself, the Boy
Scouts of America chose the eagle to symbolize the very highest
in achievement. Through all of history, I have been the symbol of
man's best; now the eagle is the symbol of Scouting's best.

PRESENTATION:

MC: In a moment, ____________________, [name and title of
guest speaker] will confer upon you the award of Eagle Scout.
However, I am sure you will agree that some special persons
should be accorded the privilege of standing with you and in some
measure sharing these high honors.

Honor guard, please escort the parents of the Eagle candidate to
his side.

[Parents take places on each side of the Eagle candidate.]
[Invite the Scoutmaster to stand next to the parents.]

As the special guest of tonight's Court of Honor, Mr.
____________________ will present the Eagle Award.

[Introduce presenter.]

PRESENTER: [He has the option of speaking informally for a few
minutes about the Eagle Award or the Eagle candidate. He speaks
from a position near the candidate. He concludes his speech with
the following sentence.]

[ Scout's name ], it is with distinct honor and pleasure that I
present you with the Eagle Award.

[He then pins it on or passes badge to mother to pin on her son.]

MC: No one will ever know the unnumbered acts of self-sacrifice
and helpfulness from the mother of this Eagle Scout which have
led us to this night. As the symbol of what this mother has made
possible, the court now asks [ Scout's name ] to present to his
mother a miniature Eagle pin.

[The presenter gives it to the Eagle Scout who then pins it on
his mother.]

PRESENTER: [ Scout's name ], it is customary that you also give
your mother an Eagle kiss.

[The Eagle does so.]

MC: Your father has stood by you over the years and has offered
his encouragement and assistance. As the symbol of what he has
contributed to your attainment of this award, the court now asks
you to present him a miniature Eagle Dad tie tack.

[The presenter gives it to the Eagle Scout who then pins it on
his father's tie.]

MC: In recognition of fatherly advice and guidance along the
trail to Eagle, I ask ____________________, father, now to
present his son with the Eagle Scout certificate and personal
letter from the Chief Scout Executive, Boy Scouts of America.

[The presenter gives them both to the Eagle's father, who then
reads the letter aloud and presents them both to the Eagle.]

MC: The court thanks Mr. ____________________ for coming tonight
and assisting in the presentation of the Eagle Award to [ Scout's
name ].

NESA REPRESENTATIVE: [ Scout's name ], by virtue of your earning
the Eagle Award, you are now eligible to become a member of the
National Eagle Scout Association. Your troop has enrolled you as
a 10-year member in the association and I have the honor of
presenting your membership to you. Fail not your fellow Eagles,
for your responsibilities are now greater than before. As you go
forward in life, receiving other honors and awards, always
remember this night when you became an Eagle Scout.

[He then gives him the NESA membership.]

MC: [ Scout's name ], you are now about to join the ranks of
Eagle Scouts. Before doing so, however, we ask you to recommit
yourself to Scouting's essential principles. ____________________
[name and title of person to deliver the charge] will assist by
delivering the Eagle charge.

SPEAKER: Would all the Eagle Scouts in the audience please stand
and form a line behind the new Eagle Scout.

[ Scout's name ], I have the honor to give you the Eagle charge
on the occasion of your elevation to the highest rank in
Scouting.

The Scouts of all nations constitute one of the most wholesome
and significant movements in the world's history. You have been
judged by the Boy Scouts of America of being worthy of the
highest rank in this great movement. All who know you rejoice in
your achievement.

Your position, as you know, is one of honor and responsibility.
You are a marked man. As an Eagle Scout, you have assumed a
solemn obligation to do your duty to God, to country, to your
fellow Scouts, and to mankind in general. This is a great
undertaking. As you live up to your obligations, you bring honor
to yourself and to your brother Scouts.

America has many good things to give you and your children. But
these good things depend for the most part on the quality of her
citizens. Our country has had a great past and you can help make
the future even greater.

I charge you, [ Scout's name ], to undertake your citizenship
with a solemn dedication. Be a leader, but lead only toward the
best. Lift up every task you do and every office you hold to the
high level of service to God and to your fellowman. So live and
serve, that those who know you will be inspired to finer living.
We have too many who use their strength and their brains to
exploit others and to gain selfish ends. I charge you, [ Scout's
name ], to be among those who dedicate their skills and ability
to the common good.

Build America on the solid foundation of clean living, honest
work, unselfish citizenship, and reverence for God; and whatever
others may do, you will leave behind a record of which every
other Scout may be justly proud.

[ Scout's name ], you will now rededicate yourself by repeating
the Scout Oath. Repeat it slowly, as you stand before the three
lighted candles representing the three parts of the Scout Oath.
Resolve to maintain the perseverance that has brought you this
far.

EAGLE SCOUT: On my honor -- I will do my best -- to do my duty --
to God and my country -- and to obey the Scout Law -- to help
other people at all times -- to keep myself physically strong --
mentally awake -- and morally straight.

SPEAKER: Your conduct along the trail has been excellent. You
have rededicated yourself to the principles of Scouting, but one
more thing is important: Your future.

As an Eagle Scout, you become a guide to other Scouts of lower
rank. You become an example in your community. Remember that your
actions are now a little more conspicuous and people will expect
more of you. To falter in your responsibility would not only
reflect upon you, but on your fellow Eagles and all Scouting. The
torch you carry is not only yours, but is ours also.

[ Scout's name ], I challenge you to enter this Eagle
brotherhood, holding ever before you, without reservation, the
ideals of honor and service. By the repetition of the Eagle Scout
Promise before your fellow members, you will become an Eagle
Scout. Though the words you use are similar to those by which you
joined Scouting, they will mean more now than they could have
meant at any time in the past. When you pledge yourself on your
sacred honor, you will be sealing your eternal loyalty to the
code of the Eagle Scout, with the words which closed the
Declaration of Independence. Scout, parents, and guests, please
stand. [ Scout's name ], Scout sign. Repeat after me:

"I reaffirm my allegiance -- to the three promises of the
Scout Oath -- I thoughtfully recognize and take upon myself --
the obligations and responsibilities of the rank of Eagle Scout
-- On my honor -- I will do my best -- to make my training an
example -- my rank and my influence -- count strongly -- for
better Scouting -- and for better citizenship -- in my troop --
and in my community -- and in my contacts with other people -- to
this I pledge my sacred honor."

Scouts, parents, and guests may be seated. By the authority
vested in me by the National Court of Honor of the Boy Scouts of
America, it is my privilege and pleasure to pronounce you an
Eagle Scout. May the oath you have taken remain graven on your
heart forever.

CLOSING:

MC: I now declare this Eagle Court of Honor closed. I ask the
members of the court and all Eagle Scouts present to be the first
to congratulate [ Scout's name ], Scouting's newest Eagle Scout.
Following this, everyone will have the opportunity to do so.